2.63 Obstructing Administration of Justice by Threats or Force / 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1503(a) is a federal crime that involves intentionally obstructing, influencing, or impeding the due administration of justice in a federal court or other federal proceeding. This can include intimidating or threatening any party, witness, or juror in a judicial proceeding, or attempting to influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in a federal investigation or trial. There are three distinct types of conduct prohibited by 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1503(a): (1) directly or indirectly threatening another with physical injury; (2) using physical force, threats, or intimidation to influence, delay, or prevent testimony; and (3) using false or misleading statements to influence, delay, or prevent testimony. All three of these types of conduct are punishable by up to twenty years in federal prison.